Suspension system and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a system and method for suspending a personal radiation protection device. The system includes a support member and a cable mechanically suspended from the support member. The system also includes a member for counter-balancing the weight of a personal radiation protection device. The counter-balancing member is attached to the cable. The system further includes a member for attaching the counter-balancing member to the personal radiation protection device.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a suspension system and method, andmore particularly to a system and method for suspending medicalequipment and instruments in a medical environment.

The practice of medicine can be a physically demanding job, potentiallycreating health problems for those practicing medicine. For example, amedical operator may expose his body to radiation, which is used toperform many medical diagnostic and therapeutic tests and procedures,such as cardiac catherizations. To minimize this exposure to radiation,operators commonly wear protective garments containingradiation-absorbing materials, generally lead or other metals, which areworn in the fashion of a vest and apron or a full lead jacket whichreaches from the shoulder to the knees. These garments areuncomfortable, heavy and place significant stress on the operator'sbody, especially the spine. This may present a significant logistic andhealth challenge for medical operators in radiation environments, suchas a catherization laboratory. Indeed, the effects of an operatorwearing such a heavy protective garment over an extended period of timeis known to be associated with diseases of the spine in the neck andback, knee disorders, and other musculoskeletal problems, which canresult in disability, medical expenses, and decreased quality of lifefor the operator.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a suspension system andmethod for use in a medical environment. In one aspect, the suspensionsystem and method should allow an operator to wear a personal radiationprotection garment minimizing the weight on his body, while notsubstantially limiting his freedom of movement. In another aspect, thesuspension system should allow the operator to quickly release thegarment from the suspension system so as to allow an operator wearingthe garment to move free of the suspension system.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a system for suspending a personalradiation protection device. The system comprises a support member, acable mechanically suspended from the support member, a member forcounter-balancing the weight of a personal radiation protection device,and a member for attaching the counter-balancing member to the personalradiation protection device. The counter-balancing member is attached tothe cable.

The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for suspending apersonal radiation protection device. The apparatus includes asuspension component and a cable supported by the suspension component.The apparatus also includes a member for counter-balancing the weight ofa personal radiation protection device. The counter-balancing member isconnected to the cable. The apparatus further includes a connectionsystem connecting the counter-balancing member with the personalradiation protection device.

The present invention is also directed to a system for suspending apersonal radiation protection garment in a medical environment includinga ceiling. The suspension system includes a support rail adapted to bemounted to a portion of the ceiling. The support rail includes a lineartrack. The suspension system also includes a trolley operable to movealong the linear track. The suspension system further includes a cablemechanically suspended from the trolley. The suspension system yetfurther includes a member for counter-balancing the weight of a personalradiation protection device, where the counter-balancing member isattached to the cable. The suspension system still further includes amember for attaching the counter-balancing member to a personalradiation protection device.

The present invention is also directed to a method for suspending apersonal radiation protection garment. The method includes providing apersonal radiation protection garment and providing a system forsuspending the personal radiation protection garment. The suspensionsystem includes an overhead support member and a cable mechanicallysuspended from the support member. The suspension system also includes amember for counter-balancing only the weight of the personal radiationprotection garment, where the counter-balancing member is attached tothe cable. The suspension system further includes a member for attachingthe counter-balancing member to the personal radiation protectiongarment. The method also includes attaching the personal radiationprotection garment to the suspension system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referenceshould now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawingsand described below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the suspension system as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the suspension system as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a suspension system according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hanger and connection system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a portion of a suspension system according toa third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a front view of a quick-connect system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the quick-connect system as shown in FIG.7A.

DESCRIPTION

The suspension system according to the present invention is for use insuspending medical equipment and instruments and may be used with anyconventional suspension system such as, for example, the systemdescribed by U.S. Patent Application Publication Number US 2007/0138415by Chet R. Rees filed on Dec. 15, 2006 and entitled “System and Methodfor Implementing a Suspension System,” the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference. Accordingly, detailed explanations of thefunctioning of all of the components and method of such suspensionsystem are deemed unnecessary for understanding of the present inventionby one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer tolike elements in each of the several views, FIGS. 1-3 show an embodimentof a suspension system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, generally at 20. The suspension system 20 of the presentinvention includes a rail 22, a trolley 24, a balancer 26 and a cable28. A personal radiation protection garment 30 worn by an operator 34 issuspended from a hanger 32 which, in turn, is suspended from thesuspension system 20. A radiation source (not shown) may be proximate tothe operator 34. The radiation source may include any device emittingradiation. For example, in medical procedures, radiation sources mayinclude x-ray machines, nuclear medicine, and devices used for radiationtherapy. Other architectures and components of the system 20 may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a portion of the rail 22 is shown secured toceiling 35. The rail 22 can be permanently affixed to support structuresin the ceiling 35 by any means, such as by bolts, screws and the like.The rail 22 may be made of any suitable material, such as steel oraluminum, which is strong enough to support the weight of the remainderof the suspension system 20 and the suspended personal radiationprotection garment 30. The rail 22 can be constructed of one or twoI-rails. The rail 22 defines a track 36 on which the trolley 24 slidesor rolls. The track 36 may be linear such that the trolley 24 may moveonly linearly along the axis that the rail 22 is aligned. For example,in FIG. 1, the rail 22 is shown as aligned along the X-axis and thetrolley 24 only moves relative to rail 22 along the X-axis. In oneembodiment, the rail 22 may have at least one non-linear section (notshown), such as one or more curved sections. In another embodiment, therail 22 may have an oval or circular shape.

The rail 22 may be affixed to any suitable supporting structure, otherthan the ceiling 35, including a wall, floor, mobile structure, mobileframe, immobile frame, cable, or any other mechanical means for hangingan item over the head of an operator. While any supporting structure maybe employed to mount the rail 22 thereto, the present inventiondescribes and illustrates the rail 22 being affixed to the ceiling 35 asonly an exemplary location to mount the rail 22. One skilled in the artwould recognize that any other supporting structure may be substitutedfor the ceiling 35.

Continuing with FIGS. 1-3, the rail 22 may be affixed to the ceiling 35at any location For example, the rail 22 may be secured to a portion ofthe ceiling 35 that is directly above a non-operating area, which may beany area that is not directly above an operational surface, such as amedical operation/surgery surface or patient examination surface. In oneembodiment, the rail 22 may be aligned along a linear axis that isparallel and adjacent to a prismoidal space 37 above any medicaloperating or patient examination surface 38 (e.g. a medical bed, anoperating table, and the like). The prismoidal space 37 may extenddirectly above the medical operating surface 38 to a portion of theceiling 35 corresponding to the medical operating surface 38.

In FIGS. 1-3, the rail 22 is shown as aligned along the X-axis, which isadjacent and parallel to the prismoidal space 37 between a patent's bed38 and the corresponding ceiling 35 directly thereabove. Referring inparticular to FIG. 3, the rail 22 may be placed directly over where theoperator 34 stands or a distance D behind the operator 34 when theoperator 34 is standing upright and facing his workplace 38 or operatingtable/bed 38. The rail 22 may run parallel with the operator's table 38,workplace, or medical bed, such that the rail 22 represents the lengthof the X-axis that the operator 34 can move freely within whileutilizing the suspension system 20. Preferably, the rail 22 is notplaced directly over the operator's workplace 38 because the operator'sworkplace 38 should be a sterile or aseptic environment and the rail 22may contaminate this environment. For example, the rail 22 may not beplaced directly over where a patient 40 will be located during radiationtreatments/operations.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the trolley 24 can include a roller 42, suchthat trolley roller 42 is positioned in the runway or linear track 36 ofthe rail 22. The roller 42 is operable to easily slide or roll along therail track 36, such that the operator 34 can move freely. The trolley 24is freely movable along the X-axis of rail 22. The trolley 24 can attachvia the cable 28 to the balancer 26, which suspends the personalradiation protection garment 30, such that the operator 34 can only movefreely in the X spatial plane defined above by the length of the rail22. The plane, defined by the X and Z spatial axes, is designed tocorrespond to the operator's desired work area. The operator 34 wearingthe suspended personal radiation protection garment 30 may have a smoothand facile motion within this plane.

Although the operator 34 is allowed free movement along the X-axis,limited movement may be allowed for the operator 34 along the Y-axis.The operator 34 generally moves along the X-axis and thus, most of theoperator's movements are confined thereto. However, the operator 34 isstill allowed some movement along the Y-axis. For example, the operator34 is allowed to bend forward or walk forward or backwards to the extentof the extension of the cable 28 attached to the counter balancer.

In another embodiment, the suspension system 20 can include linearmotion devices or any other suitable means for allowing the trolley 24to move freely. For example, linear motion devices are operable forroller bearings to roll inside the guide, such that facile motion isallowed. The trolley 24 can include roller bearings operable to rollinside a guide included in the rail 22, such that facile motion inX-axis is allowed. The suspension system 20 is operable by any suitablemeans to allow free motion only along in the X axis for the operator 34wearing the suspended personal radiation protection garment 30.

In one preferred embodiment, the cable 28 may be suspended from thetrolley 24 and may attach to the balancer 26. In another embodiment, thecable 28 may be suspended from the balancer 26 and may attach to thehanger 32. In yet another embodiment, the cable 28 may be suspended fromthe rail 22 and connect to the balancer 26. The cable 28 may be a strap,a rope or a belt. The cable 28 may be several feet long and allows theoperator 34 to move extensively in the horizontal X-axis and extensivelyin the vertical Z-axis. For example, the cable may allow the operator tomove six feet end-to-end along the X-axis and four feet along theZ-axis. The cable 28 also allows the operator 34 to move slightlyoutside the perimeter of the plane formed by the X and Z axes. The cable28 can include a swivel mount that permits free rotation of the cablesuspension mechanism allowing operator 34 to twist as needed. This mayinclude a swivel hook or snap that connects the cable 28 to the balancer26 or the hanger 32. The cable 28 is operable to safely hold the amountof weight and force caused by the suspended personal radiationprotection garment 30.

As described above, the balancer 26 is attached to the trolley 24 by thecable 28. The balancer 26 applies a constant and controllable upliftingforce on the garment 30. The spring balancer can include a coiled flatspring, similar to a clock spring, attached to a reel with a conicalshape. The cylindrical shape provides a variable mechanical advantage,which offsets the variance of the force provided by the spring as itwinds or unwinds, such that there is a relatively constant force on thecable 28 within a definable working range. The tension can be designedto provide optimum relief of the garment's weight for the operator 34,and this force can be constant in all positions of the operator 34. Thespring balancer applies a constant force to oppose the weight regardlessof how much the cable 28 is extended.

In a preferred embodiment, the balancer 26 can be a zero gravitycounter-balancer 26. The counter-balancer 26 may be attached directly tothe cable 28 or to the trolley 24. The amount of counterweight may besubstantially equal to the weight or load suspended from thecounter-balancer 26. When the garment 30 is attached to thecounter-balancer 26, the counter-balancer 26 may apply a constant andcontrollable uplifting force on the garment 30. When the garment 30 isnot attached to the counter-balancer 26, the counter-balancer 26 onlycounter-balances the load, if any, that may be attached to thecounter-balancer 26.

The counter-balancer 26 may be a variable counter-balancer 26 such thatthe amount of weight that the counter-balancer 26 may offset isvariable. The variable counter-balancer 26 may be adjusted by hand orremotely such that the user may increase or decrease the amount ofweight that the counter-balancer 26 will offset. This may be useful ifone or more different types of radiation garments 30 having differentweights will be attached to the counter-balancer 26.

The counter-balancer 26 is attached to the cable 28 that hangs from thetrolley 24 or rail 22. The cable 28 may be long enough such that thecounter-balancer 26 is within an arms-reach of the operator 34 such thatthe operator 34 may be able to adjust the variable counter-balancer 26while the operator 34 stands on the floor. However, the counter-balancer26 may be attached proximate to the rail 22 by connecting directly tothe trolley 24 or by connecting to a short cable 28 that is attached tothe trolley 24.

In a further embodiment, the balancer 26 may be counterweights. Thecounterweights apply constant and controllable uplifting force on thegarment 30. The counterweights apply the same amount of force to thegarment 30 regardless of how much cable may be extended out of thecounter-balancer 26. The counterweights allow the operator 34 wearingthe suspended personal radiation protection garment 30 freedom of motionin the vertical Z-axis spatial plane.

In yet another embodiment, the balancer 26 can be a constant forcespring. The constant force spring applies constant and controllableuplifting force on the garment 30. The constant force spring allows theoperator 34 wearing the suspended personal radiation protection garment30 freedom of motion in the vertical Z-axis spatial plane. The constantforce spring applies a constant force to oppose the weight regardless ofhow much the cable 28 is extended.

In other embodiments, the balancer 26 can include a pneumatic balancer,an air balancer, a spring motor arrangement, an intelligent assistdevice, or any other system, which provides a counterbalancing functionor suspension system 20 for the suspended personal radiation protectiongarment 30.

In another embodiment of this invention, servomechanisms (not shown) canbe used to provide near effortless control and rapid response of thesuspension system 20 to bodily motions. The servo mechanics may beincorporated into all axes, or simply into the vertical motion axisalone. The servo apparatus may have motion sensors that detect operatormovement, and can stimulate power assisted motion and cessation ofmotion, minimizing the effort of the operator 34 to move the system, andalso minimizing any tendency of the system to move the operator 34 afterthe operator 34 stops moving. The power motion is achieved by means ofmotors in conjunction with belts, chains, or cables along the desiredaxes along the rail 22.

In another embodiment, the balancer 26 may be mounted horizontally alongthe rail 22 rather than hanging vertically. The balancer 26 mountedhorizontally provides more headroom for the operator 34 in a low ceiling35 or low suspension environment. A pulley (not shown) can be includedover the operator's head that can enable the suspension system 20 tocreate a constant force, such that the operator 34 does not feel theweight of the suspended personal radiation protection garment 30.

A stop (not shown) may also be included in the system. The stop is adevice attached to the cable out of the balancer 26 operable to preventthe hanger 32 from going higher than the set level. The stop may engagethe balancer 26, such that the stop and the hanger 32 are prevented frommoving too high. For example, the operator 34 can remove the suspendedpersonal radiation protection garment 30 as another individual firmlygrips the hanger 32, and the hanger 32 could be slowly raised until thestop engages the balancer 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, the suspension system 20 may further include ahanger 32. The hanger 32 is configured so that it may be connected to anexisting personal radiation protection garment 30. The hanger 32 mayinclude a bar 44 bent in a “U” shape, including a curved portion 46 andside portions 48, 48′. Hooks 50 are provided at the end of each end ofthe side portions 48, 48′. The hanger bar 44 is made of any materialthat can support at least a minimum weight of the suspended personalradiation protection garment 30. In one aspect, the hanger 32 can be aunified, rigid piece, such that the curved portion 46, side portions 48,48′ and hooks 50 are integrated.

The curved portion 46 is a portion of the hanger 32 bent into a “U”shape. The curved portion 46 is made of any material that can support atleast a minimum weight of the suspended personal radiation protectiongarment 30. The curved portion 46 is meant to transverse around the topof the operator's head so that the curved portion 46 does not hit theoperator's head while in use. The curved portion 46 has a first end anda second end.

The side portions 48, 48′ of the bar 44 are attached to (e.g. as bywelding) or integral with (e.g. being one integral piece) the curvedportion 46 of the bar 44. Each side portion 48 of the bar 44 is made ofany material that can support at least a minimum weight of the suspendedpersonal radiation protection garment 30. Each side portion 48 of thebar 44 can attach to or be integral with the hooks 50 of the hanger 32in various embodiments. In one embodiment, each side portion 48 of thebar 44 can such that each side portion 48 is aligned toward the shouldersleeve of the garment 30 close to operator's neck. This particularembodiment is effective at distributing weight and supporting thesuspended garment 30.

The hooks 50 of the hanger 32 may be located at the end of the sideportions 48, 48′. Each hook may be made of a material that can supportat least a minimum weight of the suspended personal radiation protectiongarment 30. Each hook is positioned over operator's shoulders. Thesuspended personal radiation protection garment 30 can be placed on thehooks 50, such that the hooks 50 support the weight of the garment 30.In one embodiment, the hooks 50 can be positioned slightly above theoperator's shoulders, such that the hooks 50 act as a substitute for theoperator's shoulders while the garment 30 is still substantiallycontoured to the operator's body.

The hanger 32 is operable to suspend the personal radiation protectiongarment 30. The hanger 32 may be attached to the cable 28, thecounter-balancer 26 or a means connecting to the counter-balancer 26.The hanger 32 is sized so as to extend above the operator's head toavoid collision with the operator's head during manipulations. Thepersonal radiation protection garment 30 can be removed from the hanger32, attached to the hanger 32, and/or remain suspended from the hanger32 indefinitely. For example, the garment 30 can rest on the hanger 32similar to a clothes hanger, such that the garment 30 is not resting onthe operator's body.

The hanger 32 may have any means to connect the hanger 32 to thebalancer 26. The hanger connecting means 52 (FIGS. 6A-B) may be made ofany material that can support a minimum weight of the suspended personalradiation protection garment 30. The hanger connecting means 52 mayallow the operator 34 to bend sideways, such that the hanger connectingmeans 52 moves along the hanger 32 to properly distribute weight. Thehanger connecting means 52 can be a cable, strap, hook, loop, a pulley,fastener, or any suitable means to attach the hanger 32 to the balancer26. The hanger connecting means 52 connects the balancer 26 to the bar44 of the hanger 32. In one embodiment, the hanger connecting means 52connects to the curved portion 46 of the hanger 32.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, a connecting system 54 may be provided forconnecting the hanger 32 to the garment 30. The connection system 54 isconfigured so that it may be connected to existing personal radiationprotection garments 30. The connecting system 54 may have a buckle 56and strap 58 and is affixed to each hook 50 of the hanger 32. Theconnecting system 54 is operable for the hanger 32 to be connected tothe garment 30, such that the connecting system 54 attaches the shoulderstraps 55 of the garment 30 to the hanger 32.

The strap 58 of the connecting system 54 is made of a web of materialthat may support at least a minimum weight of the suspended personalradiation protection garment 30. The strap 58 of the connecting system54 may be any type of flexible strap and made of any flexible material,such as nylon, some other man-made fiber, cotton, or a mixture ofcotton. The straps 58 are longitudinally adjustable and depend from theouter edges of the hanger hooks 50. The length of the straps 58 may beadjustable by means of the buckle 56. Each strap 58 may have one end 59connected to one portion 59′ of the buckle 56 and another end 61connected to the other portion 61′ of the buckle 56. The strap 58 formsa circle 63 when the two portions of the buckle 56 are attached to eachother. The straps 58 are attached to the shoulder region of the garment30 when on the garment 30. The distance between the straps 58 should bewide enough so that the head of the operator 34 can easily pass throughthe opening of the garment 30 and be clear of the straps 58. Each strap58 may be threaded through the head opening and out of the arm openingof the garment 30. The buckles 58 secure the straps 58 in endless loops.

Two adjacent portions of strap 58 may be sewn together to form a smallloop 65. The loop 65 is operable to connect to one of the hooks 50 ofthe hanger 32. The loop 65 is also operable to support at least aminimum weight of the suspended personal radiation protection garment30. The loop 65 may be located at any portion along the strap 58. Thesize of the loop 65 is large enough to connect to one of the hooks 50but is small enough so that the loop 65 is secure within the hook 50.The loop 65 is operable for rotational motion or swivel motion of theloop on the hanger 32. This allows the operator 34 to freely move inforward bending or rearward bending bodily motions. The swivel motion ofthe loop 65 on the hanger 32 will allow the hanger 32 to maintain adesirable vertical orientation rather than being forced into a tiltedangulation, which would apply additional undesirable forces on thehanger 32 and the suspension system 20, as well as place additionaldownward forces on the cable 28.

A pulley may be attached between the cable 28 and the hanger 32. Thepulley is made of material to support weight of suspended personalradiation protection garment 30. The pulley (not shown) is operable toroll along the hanger 32, such that the pulley rolls along the hanger 32when the operator 34 bends sideways. For example, when the operator 34bends sideways, the pulley will roll along the hanger 32, such that thehanger 32 becomes tilted. This allows the operator 34 to freely movewhile the suspended personal radiation protection garment 30 remainsproperly suspended.

In another embodiment, the hanger 32 may be connected to the balancer 26via a quick-connect means 60, as shown in FIGS. 7A-B. The quick-connectmeans 60 includes a buckle 62, clip, a strap 66 connecting the buckle 62to the clip and a strap 68 connecting the buckle 62 to the hanger 32.

The buckle 62 of the quick-connect means 60 includes a first section 70and a second section 72. The first buckle section 70 includes areceiving portion 71 and the second buckle section 72 includes aninsertion portion 74 so that the second buckle section 72 is operable toremoveably connect to the first buckle section 70. The second bucklesection 72 may have one or more depressible regions 76 that can quicklyand easily be depressed to release the second buckle section 72 from thefirst buckle section 70. The buckle 62 may be made of material tosupport weight of suspended personal radiation protection garment 30.Both the first and second buckle sections 70, 72 have sections operableto receive the straps 66, 68.

The clip 64 of the quick-connect system 60 includes a base 78 and afastening portion 80. The base 78 portion is operable to receive a strap66. The fastening clip portion 80 is operable to snap onto a loop 82,hook, or a rod. The fastening clip portion 80 may clip onto a portion 84of the balancer 26 or clip onto a cable 82 or strap that is attached tothe balancer 26. The clip 64 is capable of swiveling so as to easilyuntwist the quick-connect means 60. The clip 64 may be made of materialto support weight of suspended personal radiation protection garment 30.

The clip 64 and buckle 62 may be connected via a strap 66. One end 86 ofthe strap 66 may be attached to the clip 64 and the other strap end 88is attached to the buckle 62. Each respective end 86, 88 of the strap 66is doubled back onto itself and sewn so as to be permanently attached.

The buckle 62 may also be attached to the bar 44 of the hanger 32 byanother strap 68. The first end 90 of the strap 68 is connected to thebar 44 of the hanger 32 while the other end 92 of the strap 68 isconnected to the buckle 62.

The quick-connect system 60 is described above as an exemplary system.It is to be understood that any other quick-connect system may be usedto disconnect the hanger or the garment from the suspension system 20.Examples of other quick-connect systems may include Velcro, clips, snapconnectors, electronic connecting devices, fasteners, other connectors,and the like.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an exemplarymethod of operation is described below. The operator 34 of the presentinvention may present his personal radiation protection garment 30 tothe suspension system 20. The garment 30 may be any garment containingradiation-absorbing material. The garment 30 may be of any shape, sizeor weight. The garment may be a full length protective garment, anapron, or a garment having any other amount of body coverage.

The hanger 32 may be pre-attached to the garment 30 or to the suspensionsystem 20. To attach the hanger to the garment, the connection system 54may be employed. As shown in FIG. 6, the shoulder area 55 of the garment30 connects to the connection system 54 by looping the strap 58 of theconnection system 54 around the shoulder areas 55 of the garment 30 andbuckling the two ends 61′, 59′ of the buckle 56 together. By doing this,the connection system 54 effectively connects the hanger 32 to thegarment 30. The garment may be connected or disconnected from the hangerat any time.

The operator 34 may attach the garment 30 to the suspension system 20 byconnecting the hanger 32 that has been pre-attached to the garment 30 tothe suspension system 20 or attaching the garment 30 to the hanger 32that has been pre-attached to the suspension system 20. The hanger 32may be attached to the suspension system 20 using the quick-connectmeans 60, previously described with respect to FIG. 7. The quick-connectmeans 60 acts as a means to quickly attach the garment 30 to thesuspension system 20 by connecting the ends 70, 72 of the buckle 62together. The quick connect means 60 also acts as a means to quicklydisconnect the garment 30 by depressing the insertion portion 74 of thebuckle so that the ends 70, 72 of the buckle disconnect from each other.

After the garment 30 is suspended from the suspension system 20, theoperator 34 may step into the garment 30 by any means to attach thegarment 30 to the operator 34. For example, in order to secure thegarment 30 to the operator 34, the operator 34 may wrap the garment 30around the operator's body and secures the garment 30 to itself byVelcro, buckles, or any suitable fastening means for attaching twopieces of a heavy material together. The operator 34 or anotherindividual can strap the garment 30 closed, such that the garment 30 issecured to the operator's body. For example, if the suspended garment 30has a fastening means on the rear of the garment 30, then the operator34 can walk up to the suspended garment 30. The operator 34 and/or anassistant can fasten the Velcro or buckles, such that the operator 34can quickly and effortlessly put on the garment 30 and receive radiationprotection. The operator 34 can wear a sterile gown and sterile glovesin the normal manner.

In another embodiment, the operator 34 may be wearing the garment 30prior to connecting the garment 30 to the suspension system.

Regardless of the load attached to the counter-balancer 26, the lineextended from the counter-balancer 26 may remain extended so that theload, such as the garment 30 and hanger 32, only the hanger 32, theextended line, a medical instrument, and the like or any combinationthereof, stays at a height where it is positioned by the operator 34.This allows the operator 34 to simply reach out and connect thesuspended, extended line of the counter-balancer 26 to the garment 30,or the operator 34 can simply walk into a suspended garment 30 where theoperator 34 last positioned it.

At any time, the operator 34 can adjust the weight the counter balancercan support and the distance from the counter-balancer to the rail 22,as appropriate. For example, when the garment 30 is attached to thesuspension system 20, the operator 34 can adjust the balancer 26 to thedesired counter-balancing weight. This would facilitate the operator 34of the suspension system 20 to use various personal radiation garments30 of a different types or weight. Also, the length of the cable 28 maybe adjusted so that the counter-balancer 26 is lowered to a particularheight with respect to the ceiling 35 or floor.

Additionally, the hanger 32 is designed such that any garment, includingcustom made garments or existing garments may be easily attached.Because the hanger is adapted to fit onto existing garments, an operator34 can use his preferred existing garment 30 with this system 20.

When operating with the suspension system, the operator 34 can movefreely in the X and Z spatial plane while wearing the suspended personalradiation protection garment 30. The operator 34 can walk diagonally,crouch, or bend sideways in a free motion while receiving protection ofthe suspended personal radiation protection garment 30.

The operator 34 may have somewhat limited motion in the Y and Z plane touse the radiation device to properly treat the patient 40. The suspendedpersonal radiation protection garment 30 may be substantially weightlessto the operator 34, such that the operator 34 is comfortable andunhindered. The operator's arms may be able to freely move in order toproperly treat the patient 40. The operator 34 can bend over the patient40 without causing pain to or asserting extra weight on the operator'sspine.

The suspended garment 30 properly protects the operator 34 from harmfulradiation. Since the garment 30 is suspended, the garment 30 can beheavier to provide more protection to the operator 34. The suspendedgarment 30 may be substantially contoured to the operator's body, suchthat a substantial area of the operator's body is protected. Thesuspended garment 30 can also be made of thicker material to provideextra protection to the operator 34.

The operator 34 can move freely to return to the spot where the operator34 initially stepped into the suspended personal radiation protectiongarment 30. The operator 34 or another individual can quickly andeffortlessly unfasten or simply quick-disconnect the garment 30 from thesuspension system 20 via the quick-connect means 60 in order todisconnect the garment 30. the garment 30 from the suspension system 20.The operator 34 can easily step out from the suspended garment 30. Thegarment 30 may remain suspended without the line from the balancer 26re-coiling any of the extended line, as previously described. Forexample, the garment 30 can be removed from the suspension system 20without the balancer 26 recoiling any of the extended line.Alternatively, the hanger 32 can remain hooked to the garment 30 or thecounter-balancer 26.

The disconnecting point of the quick-connect means 60 may be at thecounter-balancer 26, at the quick-connect means 60, or at the connectionsystem 54 connected to the hooks 50 of the hanger 32.Quick-disconnecting may be useful in emergency situations which occurduring operating procedures. For example, it is not uncommon during aprocedure in a cardiology catherization lab that a doctor must quicklymove to another part of the room that is not covered by the suspensionsystem 20, yet continue wearing the protective garment 30. In this case,the quick-connect means 60 allows him to quickly disengage himself whilewearing the protective garment 30 from the suspension system 20, givinghim full mobility about the radiation environment, such as having quickaccess the head or foot of the table, to perform various operations,such as intubating the patient or running a code.

The quick-connect means 60 may swivel. This swiveling capability allowsthe operator 34 to turn or twist in any direction without the suspensionsystem 20 getting tangled or becoming twisted.

It should be appreciated that while this disclosure discusses hangingone garment 30, any number of garments and/or medical devices, such asany medical tools, devices, and the like, may be suspended from thesuspension system. Additionally, any number of suspension systems may beemployed to suspend one or more garments for personal radiationprotection or to suspend medical tools, devices, and the like.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, thesuspension system 20 is operable to suspend the garment 30 such that theoperator 34 is not hindered or burdened by the weight from the garment30. The suspension system 20 allows the operator 34 to have completefreedom of motion in the X and Z spatial plane, which is commonly usedduring medical and research procedures. For example, this allows theoperator 34 to move laterally along the side of an operator's table or amedical bed 38. Also, the operator 34 can freely perform vertical motionactivities, such as stooping, leaning, squatting, standing on anelevated surface. The tension the balancer 26 asserts on the garment 30can be designed so as to provide optimum relief of the garment's weightfor the operator 34. This force can be constant in all positions by theoperator 34.

It is important to note that the stages and steps described aboveillustrate only some of the possible scenarios that may be executed by,or within, the present system. Some of these stages and/or steps may bedeleted or removed where appropriate, or these stages and/or steps maybe modified, enhanced, or changed considerably without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. In addition, a number of theseoperations have been described as being executed concurrently with, orin parallel to, one or more additional operations. However, the timingof these operations may be altered. The preceding example flows havebeen offered for purposes of teaching and discussion. Substantialflexibility is provided by the tendered system in that any suitablearrangements, chronologies, configurations, and timing mechanisms may beprovided without departing from the broad scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, any appropriate structure, component, or devicemay be included within suspension system 20 to effectuate the tasks andoperations of the elements and activities associated with executingcompatibility functions.

1. A system for suspending a personal radiation protection device, thesuspension system comprising: a support member; a cable mechanicallysuspended from the support member; means for counter-balancing theweight of a personal radiation protection device, the counter-balancingmeans attached to the cable; and means for attaching thecounter-balancing means to the personal radiation protection device. 2.The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the counter-balancing meanscomprises a zero gravity balancer.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2,wherein the zero gravity balancer is operable to balance weightsubstantially equal to the weight of the personal radiation protectiondevice.
 4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the zero gravitybalancer comprises variable weight adjustment, wherein the zero gravitybalancer is adjustable to balance at least two different weights.
 5. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the counter-balancing means isoperable to counter-balance only the weight of the personal radiationprotection device.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecounter-balancing means has a carrying force on the attachment meansthat is substantially matched to a load that is attached to thecounter-balancing means.
 7. The system as recited in claim 6, whereinthe load comprises the personal radiation protection device.
 8. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the counter-balancing meanscomprises a spring balancer.
 9. The system as recited in claim 1,wherein the counter-balancing means comprises at least onecounterweight.
 10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecounter-balancing means comprises an air balancer.
 11. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the counter-balancing means comprises apneumatic balancer.
 12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecounter-balancing means comprises a spring motor.
 13. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a rail having alongitudinal member orientated about a longitudinal axis.
 14. The systemas recited in claim 13, further comprising a trolley having a means formoving along the longitudinal axis of the rail, wherein the trolley isconnected to the cable.
 15. The system as recited in claim 13, whereinthe rail comprises a means for attaching to the ceiling of a room. 16.The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a means toremoveably connect the counter-balancing means to the attachment means.17. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment meanscomprises: a first end connected to a first portion of the personalradiation protection device; a second end connected to a second portionof the personal radiation protection device; and a member connecting thefirst end and the second end to the counter-balancing means.
 18. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises: ahanger; and a system for attaching the hanger to the personal radiationprotection device, the attachment system comprising: a buckle having afirst member and a second member, the first buckle member being operableto connect to the second buckle member; and a strap having a first endand a second end; wherein the first strap end is connected to the firstbuckle member and the second strap end is connected to the second bucklemember; and wherein the strap is connected to the hanger.
 19. Anapparatus for suspending a personal radiation protection device, thesuspension apparatus comprising: a suspension component; a cablesupported by the suspension component; means for counter-balancing theweight of a personal radiation protection device, the counter-balancingmeans connected to the cable; and a connection system connecting thecounter-balancing means with the personal radiation protection device.20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the connection systemcomprises: a buckle connector having a first member and a second member,the first member is attached to the counter-balancing means and thefirst member being operable to removeably connect with the secondmember; a hanger; and a strap connecting the second member of the buckleconnector to the hanger.
 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 20,wherein the connection system further comprises: a clip connector havinga clip end and a base, the clip end being connected to thecounter-balancing means; and a second strap connecting the base of theclip connector to the first member of the buckle connector.
 22. Theapparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the buckle connector furthercomprises a means to disconnect the first member with the second member.23. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein the connection systemcomprises a quick disconnect system.
 24. The apparatus as recited inclaim 19, wherein the cable has a first end and a second end and whereinthe first end is proximate to the suspension component and wherein thecounter-balancing means is located proximate to the second end of thecable.
 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein the connectionsystem is operable to support the weight of the personal radiationsystem while the first member is connected with the second member.
 26. Asystem for suspending a personal radiation protection garment in amedical environment including a ceiling, the suspension systemcomprising: a support rail adapted to be mounted to a portion of theceiling and comprising a linear track; a trolley operable to move alongthe linear track; a cable mechanically suspended from the trolley; meansfor counter-balancing the weight of a personal radiation protectiondevice, the counter-balancing means attached to the cable; and means forattaching the counter-balancing means to a personal radiation protectiondevice.
 27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the location ofthe portion of the ceiling where the support rail is mounted is directlyabove an area that is adjacent to a medical operating surface.
 28. Thesystem as recited in claim 26, wherein the portion of the ceiling wherethe support rail is mounted is directly above a location that is notaseptic.
 29. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the support railfurther comprises a longitudinal piece aligned along a axis that isparallel to a prismoidal space, the prismoidal space extending from amedical operating surface directly above the medical operating surfaceand perpendicularly to the ceiling, the axis being aligned adjacent tothe prismoidal space.
 30. A method for suspending a personal radiationprotection garment, the method comprising: providing a personalradiation protection garment; providing a system for suspending thepersonal radiation protection garment, the suspension system comprising:an overhead support member; a cable mechanically suspended from thesupport member; means for counter-balancing only the weight of thepersonal radiation protection garment, the counter-balancing meansattached to the cable; and means for attaching the counter-balancingmeans to the personal radiation protection garment; and attaching thepersonal radiation protection garment to the suspension system.
 31. Themethod as recited in claim 30, wherein the attaching the personalradiation protection garment to the suspension system comprisesattaching the personal radiation protection garment to the attachmentmeans.
 32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein the attaching thepersonal radiation protection garment to the suspension system comprisesattaching a means that is operable to quick-connect the personalradiation protection garment to the counter-balancing means.
 33. Themethod as recited in claim 32, wherein the attaching the quick-connectmeans comprises attaching a first member of the quick-connect means witha second member of the quick connect means, the first member beingconnected to the counter-balancing means and the second member beingconnected to the attachment means, and the first member being operableto removeably connect with the second member.
 34. The method as recitedin claim 33, further comprising deattaching the first member with thesecond member.
 35. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprisingadjusting the counter-balancing means such that the counter-balancingmeans may support a pre-defined amount of weight.
 36. The method asrecited in claim 30, further comprising deattaching the personalradiation protection garment from the suspension system.
 37. The methodas recited in claim 36, wherein the deattaching the personal radiationprotection garment from the suspension system comprises deattaching thepersonal radiation protection garment from the attachment means.
 38. Themethod as recited in claim 30, wherein the suspension system allows awearer of the personal radiation protection garment to move freelywithin a spatial plane, and wherein the garment is substantiallyweightless to the wearer.
 39. The method as recited in claim 30, whereinthe suspension system is operable to support only the weight of thepersonal radiation protection garment.
 40. The method as recited inclaim 30, wherein the system is mounted to a ceiling.